Not an easy skill to learn, Rick made his first bend. Working with spalted mango, a very delicate wood, Rick tried his hand on the hot pipe.
this spalted mango is very pretty but it is quite soft and punky and when wetted, very elastic. almost rubbery.
He broke the first two pieces he tried to bend, but on the third try, success. And the fourth bent also, and so Rick has his first two sides bent and in the form.
they were left in the form for two days to dry and set. When taken out there was no spring back and they retained their perfect form SUCCESS !.
And now a couple more tenors beginning. One for Carla, one for Diann. 'both with bear claw Sitka spruce soundboards.
One with a figured maple body, the other with a Wildwood Indian Rosewood back
Meanwhile we are applying coat after coat of French Polish on Eva's uke and on Lynn's tenor not pictured here. both are just days from stringing up.
and finally, today I got the fret board on Walker's tenor. It is a East Indian Rosewood and Redwood uke.
